Days after two French journalists were killed in northern Mali , authorities rounded up dozens of suspects and a group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the deaths .

At least 30 suspects were seized in desert camps near the town of Kidal and taken to the local French army base for questioning , three officials in Mali said . The officials did not want to be named because they are not authorized to talk to the media .

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb -LRB- AQIM -RRB- has allegedly claimed responsibility for the killings , according to Sahara Media news agency in Mauritania . AQIM operates in northern Africa and the group 's statements have shown up before on the Sahara outlet .

Radio France International journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were abducted in front of the home of a member of the Tuareg rebels ' National Movement of a Liberation of Azawad on Saturday , RFI reported .

They were found dead the same day . Their bodies arrived in Paris on Tuesday .

Kidal was one of the strongholds of the Islamic militant Tuareg uprising last year that plunged Mali into chaos after a military-led coup . Following the coup , Tuareg rebels occupied the northern half of the country .

A response to `` crimes '' against Muslims in Azawad

AQIM said the killings were in response to the `` crimes '' perpetrated by France as well as African and international troops against Muslims in Azawad .

Azawad is an area in northern Mali that separatist Tuareg rebels describe as the cradle of their nomadic civilization . AQIM said that this is just the beginning and that French President Francois Hollande will pay more in response to this `` new crusade '' against Muslims , according to the purported claim .

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As part of France 's intervention this year to flush out militants in Mali , the French military secured the area around Kidal . Hollande called an emergency meeting with ministers Sunday after the killings .

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A statement surfaces on Sahara Media with a claim of responsibility

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The two journalists were reportedly abducted after interviewing a rebel

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They were killed over the weekend

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Officials : The suspects were taken to the local French army base for questioning